Plastic box furniture

ABSTRACT

Plastic box furniture is made up of at least one rectangular box member open on at least one side. The box member is constructed of individual side panels fitted together along adjoining edges and secured together around the periphery of the open side by a frame. Preferably, the side panels are made of a hollow construction, formed by a pair of spaced wall members joined together along their edges to provide ribs or grooves for interconnecting the panels. Each of the panels can be provided with openings to receive bolt-like members for securing separate box members together in a furniture arrangement. The box member can be arranged to receive a drawer inserted through its open side, or the open side can be closed by a door or a cover.

Elite Zeischegg tes 1 51 Mar. 27, 1973 1541 PLASTIC BOX FURNITURE [75]Inventor: Walter Zeischegg, 7910 Neu-Ulm,

Germany [73] Assignee: Hans Friedrich Hefendehl, Kierspe,

Germany [22] Filed: Aug. 28, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 67,779

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 6, 1969 Germany ..P 19 55922.9

[51] Int. Cl. ...A47b 77/00, A47b 87/00, A47b 81/00 [58] Field of Search..312/107, 108, 140, 214, 257;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,054,524 9/1962 Casten..220/15 3,125,192 3/1964 Ramseur ..220/9 R X 3,238,835 3/1966 Rosenburg..287/20.92 B 332,417 12/1885 McKenzie ..312/214 UX 2,651,557 9/1953Kelly ..312/257 X 2,779,066 l/1957 Gaugler et al. ..312/214 UX 3,347,61010/1967 Pilliod ..312/108 X 3,552,817 l/l971 Marcolongo ....3l2/1073,563,624 2/1971 Stice ..312/111 3,514,170 5/1970 Shewchuk ..312/1072,506,844 5/1950 Smith ..312/107 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS1,416,869 9/1965 France ..312/214 Primary Examiner-Paul R. GilliamAttorney-McGlew and Toren [57] ABSTRACT Plastic box furniture is made upof at least one rectangular box member open on at least one side. Thebox member is constructed of individual side panels fitted togetheralong adjoining edges and secured together around the periphery of theopen side by a frame. Preferably, the side panels are made of a hollowconstruction, formed by a pair of spaced wall members joined togetheralong their edges to provide ribs or grooves for interconnecting thepanels. Each of the panels can be provided with openings to receiveboltlike members for securing separate box members together in afurniture arrangement. The box member can be arranged to receive adrawer inserted through its open side, or the open side can be closed bya door or a cover.

7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Patented March 27, 1973 3,722,971

7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR WALTER ZEISCHEGG zflkglzw awe 7mm ATTORNEYSPatented March 21,1973 3,722,971

7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR WA'LTER zslscHeee BY 0/170 firm mmnumsPatented March 27, 1973 3,722,971

7 Shouts-Shem 5 INVENTOR WALTER ZEISCHEQ By amaEm AT ToRNfiYs PatentedMarch 27, 1973 'T Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig.4

IN VENTOR WALTER zalscHEe 5V way/fi m ATTORNEYS Patented March 27, 19733,722,971

'7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig-4Q Fig.4b

I NVENTOR 0 dvchwama l ATTOR NEVS Patented March 27, 1973 '7Sheets-Sheet 6 Fig.5

INVENTOQ Patented March 27, 1973 3,722,97l

'7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Fig.7

INVENTOR WALTER ZEISLH (M6911! 5 amc/m ATTORNEYS PLASTIC BOX FURNITURESUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to plastic boxfurniture and, more particularly, it concerns such box furnitureconsisting of at least one rectangular box member open on at least oneside and each of the closed sides of the box member is formed of panelsinterconnected together along adjoining edges. Further, a frame definesthe periphery of the open side of the box member and is arranged toreceive the edges of the panels extending about the open side of the boxmember. The open side of the box member can be closed by a door or adrawer can be inserted into the box member through its open side.Individual box members can be connected together to form a furniturearrangement.

Box furniture has become increasingly more popular in recent years andit is characterized by the many combinations in which its elements canbe assembled together. It is not necessary that each element of a boxfurniture arrangement be in the form of a complete box open at only oneside. Individual elements or box members can be used without a rear wallthat is opposite its open side, for example, it might have the shape ofa rectangular hollow prism. Further, the individual box members whichmake up box furniture need not be of the samesize, preferably, boxfurniture may be constructed by interconnecting different sized boxmembers with accessory elements such as desk tops and the like.

In forming individual plastic box members a serious problem has beenexperienced when the box members are injection molded in one piece,since this operation can be performed only with extreme difficulties. Asa general rule, individual box members are formed from individualelements or panels. Additional problems are encountered in constructingbox members if the individual elements are to be assembled by thepurchaser himself in accordance with a particular arrangement of suchfurniture.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, a box memberconstruction is provided which is very strong and is characterized bythe securement within a frame of the edges of the individual elementswhich form the open side of the box member. By using a frame anespecially stiffened construction is provided for the box member.Furthermore, with the frame no joints are visible about the open side ofthe box, that is the side normally facing a viewer and, as a result,dirt or other materials cannot collect in such joints. While the framemay be made of a plastic material, it is also possible, if increasedstrength is required, to make the frame from metal.

Box furniture formed in accordance with the invention may be made eitherfrom thermoplastic or thermosetting materials. The selection of thematerial depends upon the specific requirements of the application to bemade of the box member. If a metal frame is used it may be advantageousto produce it as a die casting. However, the frame can also be welded inthe form of a drawn shape.

Various arrangements can be used for interconnecting the panels whichform the sides of the box member adjacent its open side. In onearrangement ribs or protrusions from one panel can be fitted intodepressions or grooves formed in the adjacent panel.

The frame defining the periphery of the open side of the box member canbe secured to the side panels by means of a suitable adhesive. However,it is also possible to form sawtooth-like detents on the inside of theframe and on the edge portions of the panels which fit into the framefor securing them together. With this arrangement the frame and thepanels can be pushed into one another, however, the detents will preventthem from being pulled apart. Such sawtooth-like connectors are commonlyused in the plastics industry. While gluing the individual partstogether is recommended for mass production, where the box furniture isshipped in a knocked-down condition, the detent arrangement for assemblyis more suitable since it does not require any great degree of technicalskill on the part of the assembler.

Advantageously, the frame has an angular transverse cross sectionalshape with one angularly disposed surface of the shape located in theplane of the open side of the box and another angularly disposed surfaceextending from the outer edge of the one angular surface toward the sideof the box opposite the open side. As a general rule, the angularsurfaces are disposed perpendicularly to one another. In such a framearrangement, not only are the individual parts of the box member heldtogether but the frame construction covers the edges of the elementsfitted within the frame.

In a preferred arrangement of the frame a third angular surface isprovided so that two of the angular surfaces are disposed in parallelrelationship and form the opposite sides of a groove into which theedges of the box member elements fit. This construction is particularlyeffective in stiffening the rim of the box member about its open sideand an especially intimate connection is provided between the frame andthe other elements which form the box member. In the construction of thebox member described above it is possible for the frame to extendlaterally outwardly from the panels or elements forming the sides of thebox member. However, it is preferable, to provide ribs on the edges ofthe panels extending about the open side of the box member so that theribs fit within the frame. In this arrangement it is possible for theinner and outer surfaces of the frame to be recessed relative to thecorresponding inner and outer surfaces of the panels forming the boxmember.

It is advantageous for the ribs on the panels extending about the openside of the box member to be continuous so that the ribs completely fillthe groove formed by the frame and improve the strength of both theframe and the panels.

In a preferred embodiment of he invention, the panels which make up theside of the box member adjacent its open side are composed of two spacedwall sections interconnected about their edges to form a hollow panel.Further, in view of the specific use to be made of the box member, thepanel forming the side of the box opposite its open side may be formedof a single wall section or of a pair of wall sections joined to form ahollow panel.

In this preferred embodiment, the rib along the edge of the panelbordering its open side is formed by the edges of the two wall sectionsforming the hollow panel. In such an arrangement, the frame also securesthe two wall sections together in the event they are not otherwise gluedor interconnected.

Accordingly, where the wall sections form a hollow panel it isadvantageous to form the rib which fits into the frame by two parallelflanges each extending along one edge of the wall sections.

It is desirable for the rib formed along the edge of the hollow panel tobe spaced both from its inner and outer surfaces so that considerableleeway is afforded in the selection of the shape of the frame used aboutthe open side of the box member.

It is preferable for the outer surface of the frame to be flush with thesurface of the panels forming the outer surfaces of the box member,since this arrangement provides a smooth outside surface and facilitatesthe assembly of a multiple number of box members into a furniture unit.If the box members are to be assembled with the individual membersplaced one on top of the other with their open sides directed upwardly,it is advantageous for the inner surface of the frame to be recessedoutwardly relative to the inside surface of the box member with thepanel of-the box member opposite the open side being similarly recessedabout its edge to provide a nested construction. In such an arrangementthe rear panel, that is the panel opposite the open side, can beinserted into the opening in the lower box member so that the exteriorsurfaces and interior surfaces of the box members are aligned in thesame planes. As can be appreciated, when the box members areappropriately dimensioned, two or more smaller box members can bepositioned in the top of a larger box member so that the exteriorsurfaces formed by the combination of the smaller box members is flushedwith the exterior surface of the lower but larger box member.

In forming a frame for the edges of the panels opposite the edges whichextend about the open side of the box member, it is preferable to afforda frame of the same design as the one about the open side. If the boxmember is closed by a panel at its side opposite the open side, then theframe can be formed about the edge of the panel closing the box memberopposite its open side. If the rear side of the box member, that is'theside opposite the open side, is formed by two wall sections into ahollow panel, the frame for the rear side is preferably constructed inone of the wall sections forming the rear wall. However, if the frameportion of the rear wall has a U-shaped configuration, the inner leg ofthe frame can be formed by the other one of the wall sections. There area number of different design possibilities for securing the wallsections forming the rear wall together depending upon the manner inwhich the box member is to be used.

In assembling the individual pieces of box furniture together or inattaching accessory parts, such as a desk top, a problem has existed inproviding a connecting means of adequate strength which do not interferewith the use or appearance of the box furniture. Therefore, inaccordance with the present invention, the requisite connections aremade by means of tie rods extending between adjacent panels ofa pair ofbox members. The tie rods may be made of plastic or, if greater strengthis required, of metal. If the tie rods are made of metal for absorbingand exerting greater forces, it is necessary to pay more attention tothe problem of the distribution of the forces. This force distributionproblem can be solved by appropriately strengthening the box parts, suchas the wall sections of the panels in which the tie rods are positioned.

If in connecting several box members together, the panels through whichthe tie rods pass are formed of separate wall sections then it ispreferable to employ tubular sections bridging the interior spacebetween the wall sections, with the tubular sections attached to atleast one of the wall sections. To form the tubular sections in a verysimple matter they are injection molded to the respective wall sectionsof the hollow panel.

When a tubular section is attached to each of the wall sections forminga hollow panel, it is preferable for the tubular sections to fit oneinto the other so that they extend to the interior surface of theoppositely disposed wall section. In order that the outer end of theinner tubular section is supported against the opposite wall section, itis advantageous to provide an annular collar on the interior of theouter tubular piece having an inside diameter which is the same as theinside diameter of the inner tubular section.

If the interior of the two-part hollow panels is equipped with ribs, theribs may be formed on one or both of the separate wall sections of thepanel with the ribs on one of the wall sections preferably glued to theother wall section. Where tubular sections are used with the ribbed wallsections it is advantageous to locate the tubular sections at the pointswhere the ribs within the hollow panel intersect. If there are no ribsused in the hollow panels, the telescopically arranged tubular sectionscan provide considerable strength and stiffness to'the panel. However,if the tubular pieces are inadequate and there are no ribs used, thehollow spaces within the panels can be filled with an appropriate foammaterial which combines light-weight with great strength.

The holes through the panels are counterbored cylindrically at theinside surface of the box member to receive the head of the tie rod. Byproper selection of the dimension of the tie rod, its head can bepositioned flush with the inside surface of the box member and a nut canbe screwed to'its other end forming a counterhead. When plastic framesare used about the open side of the box member they are preferablyformed of a unitary construction. Similarly, it is preferable if metalframes are of a one piece construction. However, if for particularreasons the frames are constructed of a multi-part arrangement, theconnecting points or joint between the frame parts should be spaced asfar from the frame comers as possible, that is they should be locatedapproximately at the center of a frame side.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated and described preferredembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rectangularly shaped box member usableas a piece of plastic box furniture in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, shown in exploded fashion, of the boxmember illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view, partly in section, of anotherembodiment of a box member in accordance with the present invention,which can be utilized where the box members are stacked one intoanother;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view, partly in section, of another boxmember in accordance with the present invention, in which certain partsof the box member are shown in a separated arrangement in position to beassembled together;

FIG. 4a is a partial perspective view, partly in section, of one of thesides forming the box member in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4b is a partial perspective view, partly in section, of an elementforming a part of a box member;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view, partly in section, of another box memberconstruction arranged to receive drawers;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a writing desk assembled from boxmembers constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a shelf unit with a walk-through passageassembled from box members constructed in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIGS. 1 and 2, a box member 1is formed ofa pair of oppositely spaced first panels 2,3 and a pair ofoppositely spaced second panels 4 and 5 forming a rectangularly shapedinterior of the box member. As viewed in FIG. 1, the box member 1 isopen at its front side and is closed by a rear panel 6 at the sidespaced oppositely its open front side. A frame 7 extends about theperiphery of the open front side of the box member.

In the side panels 2-5, holes or openings 8 are provided forinterconnecting a plurality of the box members. The arrangement of theopenings 8 will be described later herein. Further, the rear panel isalso provided with the openings, as indicated in FIG. 1, however, wheresuch openings are used in the rear wall, it is expedient to utilize adouble wallhollowlpanel as compared to the panel indicated in FIG. 2.

The side panels 2-5 of the box member are constructed as hollow wallpanels each consisting of a pair of thin wall sections spaced apartexcept at their periphery at which the edges of the wall sections areconnected, such as by gluing. The space provided within the hollowpanels can be bridged by ribs extending in parallel or in perpendicularrelationship. Alternatively, the interior of the hollow panels may befilled with a foam material or stiffened in another suitable manner. Anexample for connecting a pair of wall sections to form a hollow panel,such as represented by panels 2-5, will be described with regard to FIG.3.

In FIG. I the first and second side panels are shown fitted into oneanother and FIG. 2 indicates the manner in which these panels areconstructed to provide such interengagement. One of the side panels 2 isshown having ribs 2a extending along the edges thereof which abut thesecond side panels in the assembled position. These ribs fit into acorresponding groove 5a in the lower second panel 5, as shown in FIG. 2,and into a similarly arranged groove in the upper second panel 4. Theother first panel 3 has a similar construction at its edges which abutthe second panels in the assembled position so that it fits into similargrooves along the opposite edges of the second panels. As shown in FIG.2, the edges of the first and second panels which abut the rear panel 6in assembled position have longitudinally extending ribs 2b, 4a, 3b, and50 which fit into a peripherally extending groove 6a in the rear panel6. The cross sectional profile of the rear panel is indicated in dottedlines near its upper end in FIG. 2 and, as compared to the side panels,it can be noted that the panel is not of a hollow construction but isformed as a single wall member. Preferably, the ribs of the side panelsare glued into the groove 6a in the rear panel.

Along the edges of the first and second side panels which extend aboutthe open side of the box member 1, ribs 2c, 4b, 3c, and 5d, are providedin a manner similar to the ribs which fit within the groove 6a of therear panel. These ribs which extend about the open side extend into thegroove formed by the U-shaped profile 7a of the frame. As indicatedabove, it is advantageous to glue the ribs into the groove formed in theframe 7. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the ribs 2c, 4b, 3c, and 5d, form acontinuous protrusion about the open side of the box member andcompletely fill the continuous groove formed in the frame, with theresult that a very complete and strong connection is afforded.Accordingly, the completely assembled box member 1 as shown in FIG. 1does not have any protrusion or depressions formed in its exterior orinterior surface due to the manner in which the side panels 2-5 fitwithin the groove 6a in the rear panel 6 and within the groove formed inthe frame 7 disposed about the periphery of the open side.

If connecting holes, such as the type indicated by the openings 8, areundesirable, they may be omitted in certain panels since it may not bedesirable to have such openings in the outer surfaces of the assembledbox furniture units. However, it is also possible to fill the openings 8by means of insertable plugs so that the openings are covered and arenot easily discernible. In FIG. 3 a different arrangement of the boxmember is illustrated in which each of the panels forming its side andrear surfaces'are constructed of a pair of wall sections forming'ahollow panel. Further, each of the panels is equipped with connectingopenings 8. In this arrangement, as with the box member shown in FIGS. 1and 2, the first side panels 10 and 11 are of identical design as arethe second side panels l2, l3. Opposite the open side of the box membera hollow rear panel 14 is provided with a frame-like constructionextending about its peripheral edge. Extending about the open side ofthe box member is a frame 15. As is indicated by 'the sections of theside and rear panels in FIG. 3, the

hollow panels are each provided with ribs which are injection moldedwith the interior surface of the respective inner wall section when itis being formed. Though it does not appear in the drawing, theconnecting openings 8are located atthe points of intersection of theribs located within the hollow panels.

The following is a description in greater detail of the construction ofthe side panel 13. A wall section 131; injection molded as a unitaryelement with the ribs forms the inner part of the panel 13. The wallsection 13b and its ribs 13c are formed either of a thermoplastic or athermosetting materiaLT he free ends of the ribs, that is the endspositioned outwardly from the outer surface of the wall section 1312 asit appears in FIG. 3 abut and may be glued to the inwardly facingsurface of a wall section 13a which forms the outer part of the hollowpanel 13.

As mentioned above, within the hollow panel 13 additionalribs areprovided which extend transversely of the ribs 13c. Along the edge ofthe panel 13 located at the open side of the box member a rib 13d isprovided formed by flanges located along the corresponding edges of thewall sections 13a and 13b which form the hollow panel. In a similarmanner, ribs are formed along the edges of the side panels 10, 11 and 12which extend about the open side of the box member and afford acontinuous rib extending about the open side which fits into a U-shapedgroove in frame 15, and the ribs may be glued within the groove in theframe. The outer surface 15a of the frame 15 is flush, that is it is inthe same plane with the outer surfaces of the side panels -13. However,the inner surface b of the frame 15 is spaced outwardly relative to theinner surfaces of the panels 10-13 so that an outwardly arranged step isprovided, as is best illustrated by the sectioned edges of panels 11 and13in FIG. 3.

Along its edge adjoining the rear panel 14 of the box member, the innerwall section 13b of the panel 13 has a groove 13g into which a rib 14afits, which is formed on the inner wall section 14b of the rear panel14. As with the other ribs, this rib may be glued within the groove 13g.The interengaging construction between the edges of the rear panel 14and the adjoining edges of the side panels 10-13 are similar. The rib14a extends from a flange 140 on the inner wall section 14b of the rearpanel 14, and in combination with a flange 13f on the inner wall section13b and a flange 13:: on the outer wall section 13a provide a multi-partrib enclosed by an exterior leg or surface 14a formed along the edge ofthe outer wall section 14d of the rear panel so that the edges of theside panels adjoining the rear panel are also contained within aframe-like arrangement. The outer edge surface provided by the leg 14ais angularly disposed so that one part of its surface lies in the planeof the outer surface of the wall section 14d while its other angularlydisposed surface is in a plane parallel with one of the planes of theexterior surface of the wall sections above the side panels 10-13 but isspaced inwardly from such plane surface.

In the assembly of the box member illustrated in FIG. 3, the side panels10-13 are initially assembled together and then the side panels areplaced in contact with the inner wall section 14b of the rear panel andthen the outer wall section 14d is assembled onto the inner wall sectionand the side panels and subsequently the front frame 15 is placed ontothe adjoining edges of the side panels. Of course, it will beappreciated that this order of assembly can be reversed. From theillustration of the box member in FIG. 3 it can be noted that similarlyconstructed box members can be stacked one into the other with thestepped construction provided by the peripheral edge of the rear panel14 fitted into the stepped arrangement of the frame 15 which enclosesthe open side of the box member. When the box members are stacked one onthe other their outer surfaces are flush, that is they are in the sameplane.

In FIG. 4 another box member is shown which is of a somewhat differentdesign from the members previously described. In this arrangement, theside panels 20, 21 and 22 which border the open side of the box member,that is' the left hand side as viewed in FIG. 4, are interconnectedalong their abutting edges as indicated by the sectioned illustration ofthe interconnection of the side panel 21 with the side panels 20 and 22.

The edges of the panels 20 to 22 extending about the open side of thebox member each has a rib 20a,2la, and 22a formed by the abuttingflanges of the inner and outer wall sections which constitute the hollowside panels and which may be secured together by gluing. However, theindividual side panels need not be glued to one another. Instead, theside panels are held together by means of a frame 23 having a U-shapedcross section into which the ribs 20a, 21a and 22a extend. To afford therequisite holding action between the frame and the side panels and toassure that the frame is not displaced from the edge portions of theside panels, a plurality of saw-tooth sections 20b, 21b and 22binterengage similarly shaped saw-tooth sections 23a formed on theopposite faces within the groove formed by its U-shaped configuration.Once the frame and the side panels are interengaged, the sawtoothsections interlock so that the different parts of the box member cannotbe separated. On the opposite side of the box member from its open facea rear panel 24 is provided with a continuous U -shaped frame-likeconstruction about its peripheral edge in which sawtooth sectionssimilar to those in the frame 23 are formed for interlocking withsimilarly shaped saw-tooth sections along the adjacent edges of the sidepanels.

It can be readily appreciated that the box member constructionillustrated in FIG. 4 is particularly suited for plastic box furniturewhich is shipped in the knocked-down condition and is assembled by thepurchaser. A particular advantage of this arrangement is the reductionin the shipping volume of such plastic box furniture, since it istransported in the disassembled condition.

In FIG. 4 the rear wall 24 is constructed asa hollow panel formed of aninner and outer wall section joined together about their peripheraledges to form the frame into which the side panels seat. In FIG. 4aanother arrangement of such a rear wall member is provided constructedas a single wall section with its edge deformed to provide a U-shapedframe section 25a which can be interlocked with the walls of the sidepanels in the same manner as the frame portion of the rear panel 24..Incertain instances it may be preferable to dispense with the rear wall sothat the box member is open at its front and rear sides, and in such anarrangement a frame 26, such as shown in FIG. 4b, can be used forinterlocking the rearward edges of the side panels together. When aconstruction utilizes both the frames 23 and 26, a box member isprovided which affords an open port through a cabinet wall which isotherwise closed.

In FIG. 5 a box member is shown having its interior arranged as a drawersupport. The lower half of FIG. 5 shows a section through the box memberparallel to its open side while the upper half of FIG. 5 affords a frontview of the open side of the box member. The basic difference betweenthe box member in FIG. 5 and that shown in FIG. 3 is the configurationprovided on the inner wall sections of the oppositely disposed sidepanels 30, 31 each of which has a lengthwise ribbed profile 30a, 310which affords alternating grooves and lands. Drawer guide bars can beinserted into the grooves formed by the ribbed profiles 30a, 31a forinterserting a drawer into the box member through its open side.

As shown in dashed lines in FIG. 5, the rear wall 32 has perpendicularlydisposed ribs 32a and similar ribs are shown in the side panel 34 whichappears as the lower wall of the box member in FIG. 5. Similarly, theside walls or panels 30, 31 of the box member have ribs within theirhollow section. At each intersection of the ribs, the outer wallsections 30b, 31b is equipped with an inwardly projecting tubular member300, 310 which contacts at its inner end, an annular flange or collar30d on the outwardly facing surface of the inner wall section 30e of theside panel 30. Similarly, another tubular member 30f extends outwardlyfrom the outer surface of the inner wall section 30s in concentricallyarranged telescopic fashion over the tubular member 30c. The connectingopenings through side panel 31 and the other panels have a similarconstruction. As described previously, the connecting openings arecounterbored on the interiof surfaces of the box member, note opening32b and the counterbores 34c in the connecting openings through thelower panel 34. The connecting bolts or members may consist either ofplastic or of metal. The force distribution between the connectingmembers and the panels forming the box member is excellent because ofthe construction of the connecting openings.

It can be recognized that box members arranged to contain drawers, suchas illustrated in FIG. 5, can be easily combined with other boxes, suchas the type shown in FIG. 3, to form a plastic box furniture assemblycomposed in accordance with specific requirements. Further, it is notnecessary that the box members have square openings, the length of theopening may be multiple of its width so that the box members can beassembled together to form a clothes closet with a hanger compartment onone side and drawer compartments on the other. To afford an appreciationof the various possibilities of assembling box members, in accordancewith the present invention, into plastic box furniture units twoexamples of such units are shown in FIGS. 6 and "7.

In FIG. 6 a writing desk is displayed composed of a panel 34 supportedon one side by a pair of box members 30,31 and on the other side by asingle box member 32. The box members 30,31 are of equal size and one ismounted on the other. The box member 32 is twice the size of the singlebox member 30,31. The desk top panel 34 is connected to the box members30 and 32 by connecting means extending through connecting openings andthe box members 30,31 are similarly interconnected. Box member 32 isarranged to receive a multiple number of drawers, such as the boxmembers shown in FIG. 5, while box member 31 is arranged to receive aplurality of file folders 35. The drawers 32a in box member 32 can belocked within the box member if such an arrangement is desired.

It can be readily appreciated that the example set forth in FIG. 6 is byno means exhaustive or limiting, and a wide writing desk design could beprovided with four box members each disposed on the opposite sides ofthe knee hole or a single box member could be provided on each side ofthe knee hole. A typewriter desk can be constructed by omitting the boxmembers on one side.

In FIG. 7 a cabinet wall assembly is provided with a walk-throughpassage 40. Such a cabinet wall assembly can be used as a room dividerto afford two separate rooms or spaces. If an open divider is desiredall of the boxes forming the cabinet wall 41 can be constructed withopen faces on their front and rear sides. Further, certain of the boxescan be provided with rear walls while others of the boxes can have therear walls eliminated. In another arrangement the box members can beequipped with drawer inserts or with doors forming a closure for theopen side of the box members. The sizes of the boxes may be varied inaccordance with the desired arrangement. Therefore, in view of the abovedescription and the drawing it can be noted that the plastic boxfurniture, in accordance with the present invention, has a maximumflexibility in its application for providing different assembledarrangements, and, further, it offers particular advantage in itsability to be shipped in a knocked-down condition and assembled by thepurchaser.

What is claimed is:

l. Box-type furniture comprising at least one rectangular box memberhaving at least one open side, said box member comprising four wallpanels each forming a closed side of said rectangular box member withthe adjoining edges of said panels being interconnected, a frame memberhaving an angular sectional shape defining the periphery of the openside of said box member and the edges of said wall panels located alongthe edges of the open side of said box member are secured within saidframe, a rear member located at the 0pposite side of said box memberfrom said open side and having a frame-like section in which the edgesof said wall panels along the opposite side are fitted, said wallpanels, said frame member and said rear member are formed of plastic,each said wall panel comprises a pair of parallel thin wall sections incontacting engagement about the peripheral edges thereof and spacedapart inwardly of the peripheral edges and forming a closed hollow spacetherebetween, said wall sections having aligned openings therethrough,means located at said openings and extending through the hollow spacetherebetween providing bearing between said wall sections, said wallpanels comprising a pair of first panels disposed in spaced parallelrelationship and a pair of second panels disposed in spaced parallelrelationship and extending between the edges of said first panels, theedges of said first panels bordering said second panels having laterallyextending ribs formed therealong and the edges of said second panelsbordering said first panels having grooves formed therein and arrangedto receive the ribs on said first panels in interengaged relationship,the contacting edge portions of said first and second panels borderingthe contacting edge portions of said first and second panels borderingthe open side of said box member forming ribs which extend laterallyoutwardly from said first and second members and fit into said frame,the surfaces of said laterally extending ribs on said first and secondpanels bordering the open side of said box member have the inwardlyfacing surfaces spaced outwardly from the corresponding inwardly facingsurfaces of said panels and have the outwardly facing surfaces of saidribs spaced inwardly from the corresponding outwardly facing surfaces ofsaid panels, the ends of said ribs extending laterally from said firstand second panels are disposed in contact with the ends of said ribsextending laterally from the adjoining said wall panels and each saidlaterally extending rib is formed by two parallel contacting flanges andeach of said flanges is formed on a different one of said wall sections.

2. Box-type furniture, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said framecomprises a U-shaped section formed of a plurality of interconnectedelongated legs with a first one of said legs forming the bight portionof said U- shaped section being located in the plane of the open side ofsaid box member, a second one of said legs secured to the outerlongitudinally extending edge of the first one of said legs andextending therefrom toward the side of said box member opposite the openside, and a third one of said legs disposed in substantially parallelrelationship with the second one of said legs and secured to the innerlongitudinally extending edge of the first one of said legs andextending therefrom toward the side of said box member opposite the openside thereof so that the first, second and third ones of said legscombine in providing a longitudinally extending groove into which theedges of said wall panels located along the edge of the open side ofsaid box are secured.

3. Box-type furniture, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the outersurface of the second one of said legs of said frame is located in theplane of the exterior surface of the one of said first and second panelsalong which said frame extends, and the inner surface of the third oneof said legs of said frame is located in a plane spaced outwardly fromthe plane of the inner surface of the one of said first and secondpanelsalong which said frame extends, said rear member comprises a rearpanel positioned opposite the open side of said box member and theperipheral edge of said rear panel spaced more remotely from said openside of said box member is recessed inwardly so that its outer surfaceis approximately in the same plane as the inwardly facing surface of thethird one of said legs so that said rear panel is insertable within saidframe at the open side of another said box member for stacking saidboxes in a nested arrangement whereby the interior surfaces of said boxmembers are aligned in the same planes.

4. Box-type furniture, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rear membercomprises a rear wall section integral with said frame-like sectionthereof for forming a closure across the side opposite the open side ofsaid box member.

5. Box-type furniture, as set forth in claim 1, wherein connecting meansare arranged for securing adjacent said box members together, saidconnecting means comprising tie rods extending through the openings intwo juxtaposed wall panels of adjacent box members and said meanslocated at said openings comprising tubular members extending betweenthe facing surfaces of said wall sections forming one said wall paneland said tubular members being secured to at least one of said wallsections.

6. Box-type furniture, as set forth in claim 5, wherein one of saidtubular members is secured to each of said wall sections formin one saidwall panel and said tubular members on sai wall sections emg in axialalign-

1. Box-type furniture comprising at least one rectangular box memberhaving at least one open side, said box member comprising four wallpanels each forming a closed side of said rectangular box member withthe adjoining edges of said panels being interconnected, a frame memberhaving an angular sectional shape defining the periphery of the openside of said box member and the edges of said wall panels located alongthe edges of the open side of said box member are secured within saidframe, a rear member located at the opposite side of said box memberfrom said open side and having a frame-like section in which the edgesof said wall panels along the opposite side are fitted, said wallpanels, said frame member and said rear member are formed of plastic,each said wall panel comprises a pair of parallel thin wall sections incontacting engagement about the peripheral edges thereof and spacedapart inwardly of the peripheral edges and forming a closed hollow spacetherebetween, said wall sections having aligned openings therethrough,means located at said openings and extending through the hollow spacetherebetween providing bearing between said wall sections, said wallpanels comprising a pair of first panels disposed in spaced parallelrelationship and a pair of second panels disposed in spaced parallelrelationship and extending between the edges of said first panels, theedges of said first panels bordering said second panels having laterallyextending ribs formed therealong and the edges of said second panelsbordering said first panels having grooves formed therein and arrangedto receive the ribs on said first panels in interengaged relationship,the contacting edge portions of said first and second panels borderingthe contacting edge portions of said first and second panels borderingthe open side of said box member forming ribs which extend laterallyoutwardly from said first and second members and fit into said frame,the surfaces of said laterally extending ribs on said first and secondpanels bordering the open side of said box member have the inwardlyfaCing surfaces spaced outwardly from the corresponding inwardly facingsurfaces of said panels and have the outwardly facing surfaces of saidribs spaced inwardly from the corresponding outwardly facing surfaces ofsaid panels, the ends of said ribs extending laterally from said firstand second panels are disposed in contact with the ends of said ribsextending laterally from the adjoining said wall panels and each saidlaterally extending rib is formed by two parallel contacting flanges andeach of said flanges is formed on a different one of said wall sections.2. Box-type furniture, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said framecomprises a U-shaped section formed of a plurality of interconnectedelongated legs with a first one of said legs forming the bight portionof said U-shaped section being located in the plane of the open side ofsaid box member, a second one of said legs secured to the outerlongitudinally extending edge of the first one of said legs andextending therefrom toward the side of said box member opposite the openside, and a third one of said legs disposed in substantially parallelrelationship with the second one of said legs and secured to the innerlongitudinally extending edge of the first one of said legs andextending therefrom toward the side of said box member opposite the openside thereof so that the first, second and third ones of said legscombine in providing a longitudinally extending groove into which theedges of said wall panels located along the edge of the open side ofsaid box are secured.
 3. Box-type furniture, as set forth in claim 2,wherein the outer surface of the second one of said legs of said frameis located in the plane of the exterior surface of the one of said firstand second panels along which said frame extends, and the inner surfaceof the third one of said legs of said frame is located in a plane spacedoutwardly from the plane of the inner surface of the one of said firstand second panels along which said frame extends, said rear membercomprises a rear panel positioned opposite the open side of said boxmember and the peripheral edge of said rear panel spaced more remotelyfrom said open side of said box member is recessed inwardly so that itsouter surface is approximately in the same plane as the inwardly facingsurface of the third one of said legs so that said rear panel isinsertable within said frame at the open side of another said box memberfor stacking said boxes in a nested arrangement whereby the interiorsurfaces of said box members are aligned in the same planes.
 4. Box-typefurniture, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rear member comprises arear wall section integral with said frame-like section thereof forforming a closure across the side opposite the open side of said boxmember.
 5. Box-type furniture, as set forth in claim 1, whereinconnecting means are arranged for securing adjacent said box memberstogether, said connecting means comprising tie rods extending throughthe openings in two juxtaposed wall panels of adjacent box members andsaid means located at said openings comprising tubular members extendingbetween the facing surfaces of said wall sections forming one said wallpanel and said tubular members being secured to at least one of saidwall sections.
 6. Box-type furniture, as set forth in claim 5, whereinone of said tubular members is secured to each of said wall sectionsforming one said wall panel and said tubular members on said wallsections being in axial alignment so that one of said tubular membersfits into the other and each of said tubular members extends across thehollow space within said wall panel to the facing surface of the othersaid wall section.
 7. Box-type furniture, as set forth in claim 5,wherein perpendicularly arranged intersecting ribs are positioned withinand extend between said wall sections defining the hollow space withinsaid wall panels, and said tubular sections are positioned between saidwall sections at the location of the inTersection of saidperpendicularly arranged intersecting ribs.